Chapter 18 Safe Zone

The convoy, covered in wounds and exhausted, finally arrived at its destination—the temporary safe zone in the west of the city—before the blood-red sunset completely sank below the horizon.

It was not the high-walled fortress one might imagine, but a huge air-raid shelter originally dug into the mountainside for civil defense purposes.

The entrance to the cave had been initially reinforced, with sandbag fortifications erected and machine gun positions set up. Heavily armed soldiers with stern faces guarded the entrance, their sharp eyes scanning every approaching vehicle and every survivor.

Above the cave entrance, the words "Jiangzhou Temporary Shelter" were painted in rough red paint, standing out prominently in the blood-red light of the sky and exuding an unquestionable authority.

The convoy formed a long line at the entrance, moving slowly forward. Through the car window, Ruan Ning calmly observed this rare "land of order" in the apocalypse.

The first thing you notice is people.

A dense crowd of people. They stretched from the cave entrance all the way to the cleared area outside, some sitting, some lying down, as far as the eye could see.

Most of them were ragged, emaciated, and had empty, numb eyes, as if their souls had been ripped out, surviving solely on instinct.

The air was filled with the stench of sweat, body odor, and a faint, unpleasant smell of blood and rotting wounds, all mixed together to create an indescribable, peculiar aura belonging to the desperate masses.

Crying, coughing, whispering, soldiers shouting to maintain order... all sorts of sounds mingled together, forming a dull and persistent buzzing background noise.

Secondly, it is an intertwining of order and chaos.

The soldiers worked hard to maintain basic order, guiding newly arrived survivors to register and disperse.

Medical staff wearing white coats but with their masks and gloves stained with blood were busy in a makeshift medical tent. The suppressed groans coming from there and the occasional stretcher covered with a cloth being carried out indicated that the medical conditions here were extremely limited.

The open space was roughly divided into several areas: a registration area for new arrivals, a supplies distribution point (with a long queue that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see), a temporary medical point, and large areas of "residential areas" where there were no facilities and people could only sit on the ground.

As you can see, some people seem to have formed small groups, gathering together and relying on each other; while many more are alone, huddled in corners, their eyes warily scrutinizing everyone who approaches.

Resources are clearly extremely scarce.

Ruan Ning saw that at the supply distribution point, each person could only receive a small piece of compressed biscuit and a pitiful half bottle of water. Even so, people rushed to get it. If it weren't for the soldiers holding guns to deter them, there would probably have been a riot.

In the area near the cave entrance, where conditions were slightly better, Ruan Ning keenly noticed that although the people there were also in a sorry state, their complexions were noticeably better. Several of them, who were faintly radiating energy fluctuations, were superhumans and even received slightly more polite treatment from the soldiers, and seemed to have been allocated a little more supplies.

Classes have begun to silently form here: ordinary people, those with superpowers, and the military that wields force.

Ruan Ning's SUV slowly moved to the registration area with the convoy. A soldier wearing a mask and looking tired knocked on her window.

"Name? Age? Original address? Are you injured? Have you awakened any special abilities?" The questions were mechanical and rapid.

“Ruan Ning, 19 years old, originally from the south of the city. Uninjured.” Ruan Ning answered calmly, paused slightly, and added, “Ability… water-based superpower, level one.”

She chose to demonstrate her water-based superpowers.

In the early stages, this is a valuable auxiliary ability that ensures she receives slightly better treatment than ordinary people, without being as conspicuous as an aggressive ability, which might attract excessive attention or fear.

Upon hearing this, the soldier raised his eyelids and looked at her carefully, making a mark on the form. His tone softened slightly: "Water system? Very good. Take this tag and report to Platoon Leader Wang in Area B. He will arrange things for you. Your vehicle needs to be parked in a designated area. Hand over the keys."

Ruan Ning took a simple metal tag with a number on it and obediently handed over the car keys. She knew that here, individual force had to temporarily submit to the collective order, at least on the surface.

She slung the backpack over her shoulder to conceal her identity, stepped off the vehicle, and merged into this vast, noisy sea of ​​survivors, a place where hope and despair intertwined.

Inside the air-raid shelter, dim lights flickered deep within, like the gaping maw of a monster, devouring the ever-flowing crowds.

Ruan Ning gripped the iron plaque tightly in her hand, her gaze calmly sweeping over this so-called "safe zone".

This is not paradise, but just another form of battlefield.

The struggle for survival, the scramble for resources, and the test of humanity will be played out here in a different form, more nakedly.

Following the signs and the directions of a few scattered soldiers, Nguyen Ninh walked through the crowded and noisy outer area, where there was almost no room to step, towards the depths of the air-raid shelter marked "Sector B".

The further in you go, the dimmer the light becomes, relying on temporary power lines and occasional flashing emergency lights.

Compared to the outside, the crowds here were noticeably thinner. Although the air was still murky, the strong, pervasive stench of sweat and decay had lessened considerably.

On both sides, "rooms" or "cubicles" made of wooden boards, canvas or even cardboard began to appear, and one could vaguely see that the bedding or a few personal items were placed inside.

Clearly, this is an area where only people with certain "value" or "ability" can live.

At a fork in the road, a handwritten sign read, "Logistics Management, No Unauthorized Personnel Allowed." A stern-faced soldier standing guard with a gun stopped her.

What are you doing?

Ruan Ning showed the iron plaque in his hand: "Newcomer, water-based ability, report to Platoon Leader Wang."

The soldier inspected the metal plaque, then sized her up, seemingly surprised by her youth and composure. He stepped aside and said, "Go straight to the end, the second room on the left."

After thanking him, Ruan Ning continued forward. Along the passageway, stacks of supply boxes began to appear, along with several people hurrying along, dressed in similarly worn clothes but with more purposeful eyes. Most of them wore different badges or carried tools.

At the end of the corridor, the door to the second room on the left was open, and a slightly hoarse voice and the sound of papers turning could be heard from inside.

Ruan Ning stopped at the door and knocked on the open door.

The room was simply furnished with an old desk, a few chairs, and a filing cabinet.

A man in his thirties, dressed in military uniform with rank insignia indicating he was a platoon leader, was hunched over a table, looking at a list by the light of a desk lamp (it seems there is some priority power supply here), his brow furrowed.

His cheeks were thin, his eyes were sunken, and he looked obviously tired, but he stood up straight.

Hearing the knock on the door, he looked up and stared sharply at Ruan Ning: "What is it?" His voice was indeed hoarse and tired.

"Hello, Platoon Leader Wang, I am Ruan Ning, a new survivor. The registration office asked me to come and report to you." Ruan Ning walked into the room, placed the iron plate on the table, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "I am a level one water-type ability user."

"Water-based superpowers?" A barely perceptible glint flashed in Platoon Leader Wang's eyes. He picked up the iron plate and examined it, then looked Ruan Ning up and down, lingering for a moment on her clean and tidy clothes and calm and composed demeanor.

Such composure is rare among survivors of this age.

“Ruan Ning… Hmm, registered.” He found the corresponding number on the list and ticked it. “Water-based abilities are great. Right now, the safe zone is most in need of clean drinking water and medical water. Your ability is very useful.”

He put down his pen, leaned back slightly, and looked at Ruan Ning: "According to the regulations, people with superpowers can be assigned to better living locations in Zone B, usually four to six people per room, with much better conditions than outside. At the same time, you need to complete a certain number of 'contribution point' tasks every day, such as assisting the logistics department in gathering purified water or participating in shifts for defense. Completing tasks will earn you corresponding contribution points, which can be used to exchange for food, daily necessities, or even better treatment. Understand?"

"Understood." Ruan Ning nodded. This system was as expected.

Do you have a car?

"have."

"Have you handed over the car keys?"

"It's paid."

"Yes, the vehicles are under the unified management and dispatch of the military, and may be requisitioned if necessary. I hope you understand," Platoon Leader Wang said in a businesslike manner. "As for your personal belongings, keep them safe. Private fights are prohibited within the safe zone. If you have any problems, contact the patrol team. But... you should also be careful." He lowered his voice at the end, offering a hint of helpless reminder.

He took a new, more elegant ID badge and a key with a room number on it from the drawer and handed them to Ruan Ning: "This is your ID badge and room key. Room 7, Block B. Report to the water treatment station in the logistics department at eight o'clock every morning, and someone will assign you tasks. Any other questions?"

Ruan Ning took the ID tag and key. The key was cold, and the ID tag had her number engraved on it, along with a blurry "water" mark.

"No, thank you, Platoon Leader Wang." She shook her head.

"Go, settle down. Remember, here, you'll thrive if you follow the rules and utilize your abilities." Platoon Leader Wang waved his hand, then buried himself back into the pile of names, as if he had endless tasks to handle.

Ruan Ning nodded slightly, turned around and left the room.

Holding the cold key, she walked through the dimly lit passageway, a clear understanding in her heart.

This safe zone was indeed a miniature society with its own rules of operation. She had a slightly better starting point than ordinary people, but at the same time, she was also shackled by "responsibility".

However, this is for the best. Rules mean there are loopholes to exploit; contribution points mean there are ways to improve one's status; and her identity as a water-based ability user is currently her best cover.

She walked toward room number 7 in section B, following the room number on the key.

A new "battlefield" has been set up.

She needs to familiarize herself with this place as soon as possible, and... find traces of those "old friends".